Three Watchmen on the Legacy Pole
It was discovered that the ancient villages throughout Gwaii Haanas were being vandalised and items stolen. Volunteers from the Haida people began staying at sites to protect them.
In 1985 at Lyell Bay local people staged protests at the logging the end result of this blockade was protection for the southern area of Haida Gwaii now called Gwaii Haanas.
Following this a more formalised program was instigated: The Watchmen Program.
The Watchmen have long been a part of Haida life protecting the land and sea. Their poles often showed 3 Watchmen at the top of the pole.
Today the Watchmen program continues: About the Haida Watchman Program.
We met some amazing modern-day Haida Watchmen: Shiloeh, Donna, Duck, David, James, Walter, Raven, Mary. The Watchmen rotate around the sites spending varying times often with only their counterpart for company. Shiloeh described this time as being lonely but also special.
